Moscow hosts first Civil 20 meeting as part of its G20 presidency

The first Civil 20 meeting of Russia's presidency of the G20 was held in Moscow on December 11-13. Russian Sherpa Ksenia Yudaeva told the meeting about the priorities of Russia's presidency, such as cooperating in attracting investment, helping member countries create the environment for a transparent pricing policy and reducing the level of government regulation in business.

"We would like to work closer with business and civil society during our presidency. In early June, we will hold G20 Outreach meetings to get expert advice, some of which will form the basis of the final communiqué of the G20 leaders," Ms. Yudaeva said.

Minister Mikhail Abyzov, who chairs the government commission responsible for coordinating the work of the Open Government, said at the meeting in Moscow that his commission had developed a program for supporting people and the social sector and would forward it to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the near future.

"We have drafted a national civil initiative comprising four action plans. It is aimed at supporting people and the social sector, as well as organizations working in this sphere," Abyzov said. "I hope to discuss these issues with Dmitry Medvedev later this month. Some of these issues are very important, especially the provision of information on taxes levied on the social sector. This issue is of particular importance for attracting private investment."